Ford Kuga review: spacious and nimble hybrid family SUV

Quick review

The third-generation Ford Kuga is easily the best iteration of family SUV the brand has produced so far. It blends great driving dynamics with useful on-board tech, good safety kit and plenty of practicality. 

The Kuga doesn’t offer the plushest interior compared with its close rivals, but the overall package remains compelling. With efficient hybrid and plug-in hybrid models available and competitive prices across the range, the Kuga offers exceptional value for keen drivers who need a little more room for the family.

Ford Kuga: price, specs and rivals

A quick look at the Ford Kuga family tree reveals that the first generation of this family-friendly SUV, launched in 2008, was little more than a high-riding Ford Focus. This was a good thing, though, and meant customers were treated to hatchback-style handling, while benefiting from the extra space and practicality of the larger five-door family car.

In 2012, Ford introduced the second generation of its mid-size SUV. Growing a little rounder in its middle age and, with increasing competition from the likes of the Peugeot 3008, Renault Austral and Kia Sportage, the Mk2 Kuga struggled to make its mark. Uninspiring looks, tired tech and the loss of its sharp driving dynamics did nothing to help its cause.

Ford’s latest crack at the Kuga is just right. The manufacturer has concentrated on all the key areas, providing the Kuga with eye-catching good looks, decent levels of standard kit, an efficient range of engines, and solid safety credentials. It drives rather well, too.

The third-generation Kuga is based on Ford’s C2 platform, which shares its underpinnings with the Focus hatchback. Ride and handling are back to being standout attributes for the Kuga, and there’s more driving fun to be had compared to rivals such as the Honda CR-V,  Hyundai Tucson, and Toyota RAV4.

The VW group offers up the smart, but rather bland trio of the Volkswagen Tiguan, Skoda Karoq and SEAT Ateca. At the same time, there’s also the stylish Mazda CX-5 or the ever-popular Nissan Qashqai to consider.

A revision to the engine range in 2021 saw Ford remove diesel power altogether from the Kuga lineup. Engine choices now consist of a 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol, a full-hybrid, and a 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid. The 1.5 Ecoboost engine is paired solely with a six-speed manual transmission, while the hybrid and plug-in hybrid models use a CVT automatic gearbox.

Equipment levels have mercifully been simplified as part of the refresh. The entry-level Titanium trim comes exclusively with the 1.5-litre Ecoboost engine, and gets 17-inch alloys, LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors along with a reversing camera, a 13-inch infotainment touchscreen, climate control, lane keep assist, and the all-important heated windscreen. Next up is the sportier-looking and very well-equipped ST-Line trim that’s available across all engine ranges. It has larger 18-inch wheels, a 360-degree camera system, an electric tailgate, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and electric front seats with driver-side memory.

Next up is Active trim, which only comes with hybrid or plug-in hybrid engines, and is the least expensive way into a four-wheel drive Kuga. It doesn’t add much over ST-Line in terms of equipment, but it does look a little more rugged with black exterior trim, a raised ride height, and mircosuede interior seat materials. The top-of-the-range ST-Line X has 19-inch alloys, front and rear heated seats plus a heated steering wheel, a panoramic glass roof, and red brake calipers.

How much does the Ford Kuga cost?

Prices for the Kuga start at around £32,000 for a 1.5 Ecoboost in Titanium trim, or roughly the starting price of our favourite mid-size SUV, the Hyundai Tucson. There’s a big jump in price for the next trim level up, ST-Line, which costs a little under £37,500. A smaller financial leap is needed to get into an Active trim, starting at just under £38,000, while the top-of-the-range ST-Line X comes in at just under £40,000.

Engines, performance and drive

​Ford has fitted the third-generation Kuga with a strong range of engines and made it a family SUV that’s also great to drive. There’s MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link rear set-up that help with both comfort on longer journeys and agility when pressing on through the corners. When you need to rein it in, the brakes are strong.

The suspension stays comfortable and composed in most situations, although we did find the ride slightly too firm and bouncy on the ST-Line X version with its sporty suspension and larger alloy wheels. Smaller wheels go towards making the Kuga more refined.

A significant move forward for the Kuga is the adoption of mild-, full- and plug-in hybrid power, which help improve fuel consumption and reduce CO2 emissions. The mild-hybrid tech recoups power during braking and stores it in a small battery, which is then used to power an electric motor that assists when accelerating to reduce the demand on the engine and maximise efficiency when on the move. The full-hybrid operates similarly but includes a larger battery that can store more power, and a stronger electric motor that can move the Kuga under electric power alone for short distances at low speeds, improving fuel economy further.

However, the Kuga plug-in hybrid model is where you’ll find major savings in fuel consumption and less CO2 emitted from the tailpipe. It’s most effective when engaged in pure-EV mode, because the 2.5-litre petrol engine can be a little loud when it chips in. This isn’t helped by the CVT gearbox, which is typically noisy when accelerating hard – in fact, we’d prefer a regular automatic transmission to smooth things along.

0-62mph acceleration and top speed

The 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine provides 148bhp and 240Nm of torque, and manages the 0-62mph sprint in 9.7s, with a top speed of 121mph. 

Next up is the 2.5-litre FHEV hybrid, with the front-wheel drive model producing 178bhp and 200Nm of torque, and the four-wheel producing just as much torque, but with a little more power at 181bhp. The former gets from 0-62mph in 9.1 seconds, while the latter is a little quicker at 8.3 seconds. Both top out at 122mph.  

The fastest Kuga is the 240bhp 2.5-litre PHEV plug-in hybrid, which completes the same sprint in 7.3 seconds and romps on to a top speed of 125mph.

Ford has fitted selectable driving modes as standard, so you can cycle between settings designed to cater for eco, sporty and off-road driving.

MPG, CO2 and running costs

A key feature of a family SUV like the Ford Kuga is its ability to offer reasonable running costs, and the Kuga has this area more than covered. The petrol models should return around 40mpg, while company car drivers will benefit from the low emissions offered by the PHEV model and diesel-like economy – provided you regularly charge it up.

According to Ford, the regular petrol version returns up to 44.1mpg on the WLTP combined cycle, with CO2 emissions of 145g/km. The full-hybrid is a more efficient option, managing up to 52.3mpg and emitting 123g/km of CO2.

For the best efficiency, the Kuga 2.5-litre petrol plug-in hybrid is the one to choose. Ford claims a fuel consumption figure of 313.9mpg, but you’ll need to charge regularly and drive mostly under electric power to replicate that.

Electric range, battery life and charge time

The PHEV model has an all-electric range of up to 42 miles, and takes around 3.5 hours to recharge fully from a 7kWh wallbox charger. So, if it suits your work and commute circumstances, then it’s worth considering to reduce your fuel usage. Just be aware that there are alternatives like the Honda CR-V e:PHEV that’ll go further on a charge, and there are a few electric car alternatives, like the Tesla Model Y, that could prove to be even more affordable to run for company car drivers.

Insurance groups

Premiums shouldn’t be too steep for Ford’s family SUV, as the whole lineup sits between insurance groups 16-26.

The plug-in hybrid model is the priciest to insure regardless of trim level, although it’s still much cheaper to insure than the CR-V e:PHEV, which is in group 37. 

If you want lower quotes, though, the 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine is the one to choose.

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Depreciation

Data suggests that the Kuga should retain around 52 per cent of its value over three years and 36,000 miles, with the best version being a plug-in hybrid model in ST-Line trim. In comparison, the Nissan X-Trail is likely to retain between 47-50 per cent, while the Renault Austral is predicted to cling on to between 53-55 per cent of its resale value over the same period.

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Interior, design and technology

The look of the Ford Kuga has been sharpened, with the most notable changes being seen at the front. All versions get a new grille and headlights, plus the refreshed Ford corporate logo first seen on the Ford Transit Custom, which is also featured on the latest Kuga.

If you’re after a sportier look, the ST-Line and ST-Line X trims get a sharper bumper design, with the latter benefitting from the largest 19-inch alloy wheels. The Active trim gets more unpainted black plastic trim around the wheel arches and side sills, along with a small suspension lift to give it the appearance of something more rugged. 

​Inside the Kuga, you’ll find a cabin similar to that in the revised Ford Focus hatchback, which means you get a functional interior with a pair of large digital screens, but the easy-to-use physical climate controls of the pre-facelift Kuga have now gone, much to our disappointment. 

This is a shame because it removes one of the big positives of the pre-facelift Kuga, and gave it a plus point in contrast to its rivals like the Peugeot 3008, which have gone to a touchscreen-only set-up. A certain number of climate control shortcuts are shown at the bottom of the screen when the car is on, like the Volkswagen Tiguan, but this way of doing it isn’t as easy to use on the move compared with a physical dial – like it previously had.

We would have liked to see the cheap-feeling interior plastics removed, but they still feature heavily in the revised Kuga. Rivals like the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage have come on leaps and bounds in this area, to a point where they challenge more premium offerings like the Tiguan and leave the Kuga trailing. Top-of-the-range ST-Line X models come with contrast red stitching to make it look a little more interesting, but the rest of the Kuga range can look a little dull inside.

All versions of Kuga come with front and rear parking sensors, as well as a reversing camera. Add the Driver’s Assistance Pack to Titanium trim (or go for ST-Line trim and above) and you’ll get a 360-degree camera system, along with a number of driver safety assistance technology. A Technology Pack is available throughout the line-up, and it adds more advanced LED matrix headlights that alter the beam pattern to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic. This pack also features a head-up display that projects useful information - such as your speed - onto a display in the windscreen within your line of sight.

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Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

The Kuga comes with Ford’s SYNC 4 navigation and infotainment set-up. Sat-nav is standard, as is wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for those who prefer connecting to apps via their smartphone, with a wireless phone charging pad provided near the USB charging points in front of the gear selector. 

The infotainment system loads quickly and is easy to use, while the built-in user interface allows fast access to the functions you want. The screen is sharp and responsive, plus the large icons on the screen make it relatively easy to use while on the move. A six-speaker sound system comes as standard, however, the 10-speaker system found on ST-Line and above is much better.

Digital dials now feature on all versions of the Kuga, but these don’t offer the same configurability as you get in some rival systems, and you can’t display the sat nav map on the instrument cluster like you can with the Peugeot 3008, or Volkswagen Tiguan.

Boot space, comfort and practicality

​As well as offering good all-round visibility, the Ford Kuga is full of neat, practical touches that make life a bit easier. All versions feature a heated windscreen, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and a sliding and reclining rear seat. Ford’s Easy Fuel system is also included, which makes it virtually impossible to fill up with the wrong fuel. It’s a capless set-up – useful because you don’t have to handle a grimy fuel cap at the filling station.

During our own testing of the Kuga, we found the sports seats to be fairly uncomfortable. While they have plenty of adjustability, the seat base is almost completely flat, which will impact comfort – particularly on longer journeys. From ST-Line models and above, the front seats get 12-way electric adjustment, with the driver’s side having memory settings. It’s a little odd that only the most expensive ST-Line X model comes with the contents of the Winter Pack, which is available as an option on lesser trim levels. It does include heater rear seats and a heated steering wheel.

Dimensions and size

The Kuga is 4,626mm in length, 1,690mm in height and 1,882mm wide (without mirrors). In comparison to the Toyota RAV4, it’s a little bigger in all areas, while the Kuga is noticeably larger than its Skoda Karoq rival which is 4,382mm long, 1,841mm wide and stands 1,603mm tall.

Leg room, head room & passenger space

There’s plenty of room upfront in the Kuga, and although overall space isn’t as good as the Skoda Karoq or Toyota RAV4, it’s more than adequate for a family of four. Accommodating another passenger in the middle rear seat might be a bit of a squeeze, but head and leg room are generally fine. Rear knee room is fantastic, and with the versatility of a sliding (and reclining) rear seat, the Kuga is one of the roomiest cars in the class. The rear doors open fairly wide, but not to the 90-degree angle of the Nissan X-Trail, though.

Family car buyers will be pleased to find the rear door opening is sizeable, and there are two ISOFIX points on the outer positions of the rear bench.

Boot Space

The amount of boot space in the Kuga can be extended from 412 litres up to 645 litres (628 litres in the case of the FHEV and PHEV hybrids) by sliding the rear seat forwards. The former isn’t much more than a Ford Focus, but the latter does at least outshine the Skoda Karoq’s 521 litres. 

If you fold the Kuga’s rear seats flat, you’ll be able to access up to 1,534 litres of load space, although this is trumped by the Karoq’s 1,605 litres (1,810 litres if the Skoda’s VarioFlex rear seats are removed). There’s no lip to load heavy items over, though, and the empty spare wheel cavity gives more space to stash things away, or you can fill it with an optional space-saver wheel.

Towing

The towing capacities of the Ford Kuga have all been increased as part of the facelift, but the amount it can pull still depends on which engine you choose. The maximum braked trailer towing capacity ranges from 1,600kg for the 2.5 FHEV hybrid with two-wheel drive, rising to 1,730kg for the 1.5 Ecoboost. The maximum towing capacity of 2,100kg is for the 2.5 PHEV plug-in hybrid and the four-wheel drive 2.5 FHEV. The latter is mighty impressive, beating similar hybrid versions of the Hyundai Santa Fe or the four-wheel drive Toyota RAV4, both of which can only tow up to 1,650kg.

If you need a more capable towing vehicle, you’ll want a traditional diesel-equipped SUV, such as the diesel versions of Santa Fe and Kia Sorrento, which can tow up to 2,500kg.

Some helpful features in the infotainment system can assist Kuga owners when towing, such as a feature in the satellite navigation that’ll plan an easier route for towing a trailer, or a handy checklist to make sure you’ve covered off all the important towing safety checks before setting off. While the latter might not be useful to experienced hands, it could prove useful to those who haven’t towed before, or haven’t done so for a while and need a refresher.

Reliability and safety

The Driver’s Assistance Pack, available as an option on entry-level Titanium trim but standard from ST-Line and above, adds Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Sign Recognition and a Blind Spot Information System (BLIS).

Euro NCAP tested the Kuga in 2019 and awarded the SUV a full five stars for safety. Adult and child protection were rated at 92 per cent and 86 per cent, respectively, with an 85 per cent score for pedestrian safety, and a 73 per cent score for safety assist tech. That’s a decent result, but the Toyota RAV4, also tested in 2019, scored higher in all areas.

Warranty

Ford offers a standard 3-year/60,000-mile warranty, with the option of extending the cover up to five years at extra cost. You’ll also get 12 months of UK and European roadside assistance thrown in, which you can extend for 12 months with routine Ford main dealer servicing. 

It is possible to purchase an extended Ford warranty prior to registration of either four years and 80,000 miles, or five years and 100,000 miles – the latter is a level of coverage you get as standard from Hyundai, while Toyota offers up to 10 years/100,000 miles of manufacturer’s cover if you have your Toyota car routinely maintained at a Toyota main dealer.

Servicing

Service intervals for the Kuga every two years or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first. The Ford Protect Service Plan allows customers to pay for scheduled maintenance on a monthly basis or as a one-off payment.

Used and nearly new

If you can afford it, then the third-generation Ford Kuga offers the most complete package as a family SUV. It's been on sale since 2020, so second-hand examples have had enough time to find their way onto dealer forecourts. Buyers may be able to land a Mk2 model for far less money, but will need to be prepared for the average load space and a cheap-feeling interior. First-generation cars, although older, were offered solely with the well-equipped Zetec and Titanium trim levels and are mostly available with diesel power – although there was a short-lived spell of 2.5-litre, five-cylinder petrol models using the same engine as the Ford Focus ST.

Ford Kuga history

Ford Kuga Mk2: 2012-2020

You won't find any efficient plug-in hybrid tech with a second-generation Ford Kuga, just straightforward petrol and diesel units. Compared to rivals such as the SEAT Ateca, the Mk2 Kuga was average to drive, with most models offering a front-wheel-drive set-up.

A variety of different trim levels were on offer, from entry Zetec through to Titanium, ST-Line and luxury Vignale versions, while a facelift in 2016 saw styling tweaks to the exterior, a redesigned dash, revised on-board tech and a new 119bhp diesel engine.

Ford Kuga Mk1: 2008-2012

The first-generation Kuga was relatively compact compared to the latest one, but its Ford Focus underpinnings meant it was one of the best-driving SUVs of its time. The practicality gains over the hatchback were minimal, though, and models fitted with the 2.5-litre petrol engine were thirsty.

Opting for diesel power meant more sensible running costs, but the purchase price of the Mk1 Kuga was quite steep. Build quality was solid, though, and it also boasted a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.